LONG BRANCH – In the lead-up to the upcoming Long Branch School Board Election Candidates, candidates gathered for their final public debate, addressing pressing issues such as nepotism in hiring practices and the district’s transgender policy. These discussions diverged from more routine inquiries about budget management, test scores, and the preservation of arts programs, which all candidates pledged to maintain. The election features six candidates vying for three full-term, three-year seats, alongside two others competing for a one-year unexpired term following the retirement of long-time board member Avery Grant, who has relocated to Georgia.
The debate was organized by two local organizations: the League of Women Voters and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Guild of Greater Long Branch. This marks a significant occasion, as it was the first time the Guild hosted a school board debate. Among the candidates are incumbents Joseph Ferraina, a former superintendent and current board Vice President, and Violeta Peters, the Board President. Both are running for re-election as a unified ticket, having collaborated closely over the years on various school initiatives. Peters, a retired healthcare professional, served on the board during Ferraina’s tenure as superintendent from 1992 until 2011 and returned to the board in 2017 after a brief hiatus.
Ferraina outlined his objectives, including reintegrating trades into the curriculum, enhancing the special education program at the old high school, and establishing individualized educational programs (IEPs) to better monitor student progress. Other candidates include Raymond Garland, a retired Port Authority police officer who prioritizes school safety, and Dominic Sama, a recent high school graduate and current student at Montclair University. Sama expressed the importance of a student’s perspective in addressing the evolving needs of the student body.
Additionally, Jon R. Zimmerman and Michael Zimmerman, unrelated but both with educational backgrounds, along with Julio A. Rivas, are independently contesting for the three-year seats. Jason DeSantis, a local entrepreneur, is also running for the one-year unexpired term. Notably, Michael Zimmerman, the grandson of a former police chief, did not attend the debates but provided his background to the moderators. Meanwhile, Rivas was unavailable for comment.
Addressing Nepotism Concerns in Long Branch School Board Election
During the debate, the issue of nepotism arose when a member of the audience questioned candidates about their plans to implement policies to prevent the hiring of friends and family members within the school board election. Jon Zimmerman expressed that while nepotism should be frowned upon, he would support hiring based on merit, particularly for local students with legitimate qualifications.
Ferraina emphasized the importance of adhering to legal guidelines and qualifications in hiring, noting that board members act on the recommendations of the superintendent rather than making direct hiring decisions themselves. He cautioned that nepotism could demoralize staff and undermine trust within the school community. DeSantis echoed this sentiment, asserting that individuals should earn positions based on their qualifications and merit. Garland reiterated the need for transparency, stating that qualified candidates should be prioritized, regardless of personal connections.
Peters confirmed that the board relies on administration recommendations, emphasizing the importance of qualifications over relationships in hiring decisions.
Transgender Policy Discussion in Long Branch School Board Election Candidates
The candidates also addressed the sensitive topic of transgender policy in sports, with only Jon Zimmerman and DeSantis engaging in the discussion. Zimmerman acknowledged the importance of supporting transgender students within the educational environment but expressed his belief that transgender athletes transitioning from male to female should not compete on girls’ teams, citing concerns over fairness. DeSantis concurred, arguing that it poses an unfair advantage in competitive sports.
As the school board election approaches, the discussions during this debate highlight the candidates’ differing views on significant issues impacting the Long Branch School Board Election Candidates providing voters with crucial insights ahead of their decisions at the polls.
